Product Description

After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #971 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Customer Reviews

Just as good as the first one
So, the 'Hunger Games'. What a blazing book that was; 'Battle Royale' meets 'Big Brother'. But the first book only really got the story started. The main attraction of the book were the Games themselves, and only tantalising glimpses of the dystopian world were given.

In Catching Fire, we delve deeper into the history and mystery of this futuristic world. We learn a a few things about how Panem came to be, but also many more questions are raised. Did you think things would become less complicated for Katniss and Peeta after the Games ended? Far from it. Everything becomes far more complicated, and events spiral beyond their control.

The genuinely terrifying President Snow, a snakelike being who smells of blood and roses, is as threatening and hateful when he's not present as when he is. He's angry at our heroes, and getting angrier by the day as the unrest in the downtrodden districts grow. Katniss and Peeta are playing figurative chess with their lives as well as their loved ones. But there seems to be no escaping the power of Snow, and the revenge he brings crashing down upon them is horrific, devastating and, I will admit, completely unexpected.

In fact, that's the whole thing about 'Catching Fire', although the first 'Hunger Games' was an excellent book, it was a little predictable. This isn't. Every chapter seems to end on a plot twist, and your breath will catch in your throat as you fear for what could happen next.

On the downside, 'Catching Fire' is the second part of a trilogy, traditionally the weakest book in three because it neither has the advantage of starting the story nor finish it. Stories are followed up from where they left off, and some are started but not finished, obviously ready for the final installment, but 'Catching Fire' doesn't feel like it's own book. Plus, you could practically split this book in half, each half in very different places, with different stakes and different characters, and both almost completely inconsequential of each other, so it can feel a bit...tacked on at times. Plus 'Catching Fire' does sometimes retread familiar ground, making it feel a bit lazy here and there.

But honestly, these are just nitpicks. If you liked the first book, as I did, then you'll be just as delighted (and terrified) by this one. And, without spoiling anything, the last few chapters could be some of the finest, scariest, most heart-stopping moments I've ever read, and left me gagging for the final book.

If 'Hunger Games' left you hungry for more, then 'Catching Fire' will set you ablaze. Essential reading, for young adults and adults too. Not for the faint-hearted!

Absolutely Amazing. You must read this.
This sequel to the Hunger Games has the emotional impact of a steam roller coupled with amazing battle arena horrors which surpass the tension, suspense and brutality of the first book.
You absolutely HAVE to read the first in the series before reading this as the bulk of the book deals with the fallout from the reality TV style hunger games where Katniss and Peeta had to act out a love story in order to stay alive.
The writing is superb. The plot is inventive, gut wrenching and full of detail which makes this story live and breathe.
I literally couldn't put it down as it is a superb book.
The echoes of the previous games haunt this book as yet another Hunger Games is played out but with a massive twist this time. Much of the action of the first book is echoed with Katniss and Gale still hunting beyond the electric fence, Peeta still baking and Haymitch still drinking but the characters and action are expanded and bettered which makes the physical and emotional brutality they suffer even more obscene. Layers of story with the love triangle of Katniss now 17, Peeta and Gale plus the rising tensions in the other Districts servicing the ruling Capitol make this an absolutely compelling read.
I recommend it very, very highly for teenagers+
Read it, you won't be disappointed!

Amazing sequel!
If you enjoyed the first of this series The Hunger Games, then this book just has to be read. Whilst parts are re-capped on and this could be read as a standalone novel, I really would recommend you read the previous one first.

The Hunger Games is a cruel annual event where as a punishment for an uprising in District 13 seventy five years ago and to emphasize the Capitol's power, the remaining twelve districts of the State of Panem each have to select a girl and a boy (aged 12 to 18) to enter an arena and do battle with the other districts contestants (called tributes) and the last one alive is the winner. The whole thing is broadcast and made compulsory viewing.

Following on from the events at the last hunger games Katniss and Peeta should be able to sit back in comfort but instead they face reprisal and they fear for their families. This years games is a 'Quarter Quell' - the seventy fifth anniversary of the games, and as with all quarter quells there's a twist. As the games approach the tension builds and gathers pace not letting up until the end.

The author doesn't just tell the story, she brings it to life; it jumps off the pages and drags you into the arena with the tributes. The adrenaline, the terror and the will to survive are felt by the reader as the pages fly by. I didn't think the author could better The Hunger Games, but believe me she has. The plot rockets along, if you thought the tension and cruelty of the first book was amazing this one exceeds it at all levels. The ending is cleverly written, leaving the reader desperate to read the third in the trilogy and find out what happens next.

Fantastic reading and although aimed at the 13-15 year old market just reading the reviews should tell you these books are enjoyed by all ages. I'd certainly highly recommend them.